Transformer mounting base assembly



y 1965 c. E. SLOOP 3,185,424

TRANSFORMER MOUNTING BASE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 20. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CLIFFORD E. SLOOP ATTORNEY May 25, 1965 c. E. SLOOP 3,185,424

TRANSFORMER MOUNTING BASE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y lllflY/ INVEN TOR.

CLIFFORD E. SLOOP BYgQHL ATTORNEY May 25, 1965 c. E. sLooP TRANSFORMER MOUNTING BASE ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 20, 1960 INVENTOR.

CUFFORD E. SLOOP ATTORN EY c. E. SLOOP 3,185,424

TRANSFORMER MOUNTING BASE ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 25, 1965 Filed Dec'. 20, 1960 71 I8 299 50 L 4 4! x #2 300i? To Sen lee /v l2a 042 70 Me zer Block IN VEN TOR.

CLIFFORD E. SLOOP BY g ATTORN EY 3 185 424 TRANSFORMER MdUNTING BASE ASSEMBLY Clifford E. Sloop, 2230 th St., Columbus, Ga.

Filed Dec. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 77,133 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-205) This invention relates to a transformer mounting base assembly and is more particularly concerned with bases for mounting window type current transformers which are useful in the metering of electrical service.

In the past, window type current transformers have been extensively employed for use in conjunction with meters so that a large flow of current may be accurately measured without feeding the current directly through the meter. Usually, the window type current transformer is placed either in a box or on a fiat surface, such as a cross arm of a utility pole. The mounting assembly for the transformer usually includes a plurality of bolts which pass through a metal base secured to the transformer. When such transformers are installed in boxes, these boxes must be relatively large so as to permit access to the several bolts which secure each transformer in place. Indeed, even in open areas, the work normally associated with the installation of the conventional current transformer is appreciable due to the fact that a plurality of bolts are employed.

Briefly, the present invention is a transformer mounting base assembly which includes the transformer, the base for the transformer, and means such as bolts which pass through the base so as to secure the transformer in place. The base of the assembly is of unique construction in that it is provided with one end which is longer than the other end, that one end providing a transverse channel which is adapted to receive a utility bolt by which a plurality of such transformer mounting bases may be supported. The transformer mounting bases are usually alignedaxially on a single utility bolt so as to protrude diametrically from the bolt. Openings are also provided on this one end or base extension for receiving an inwardly or laterally extending bolt, the inwardly extending bolt cooperating with a flange or lip on the end of the base so as to urge the base at all times against a mounting platform or the like. The lateral opening and lateral bolt of the end of the base permits still additional mountings for the base.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transformer base assembly which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in structure and eflicient in operation, requiring less time for the installation of the assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transformer mounting base which is adapted to be adequately held in place by a single bolt, screw, stud or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide transformer mounting base which is capable of being received on the mounting shaft of a clevis insulator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transformer mounting base which is capable of being mounted, along with similar bases, on a rack assembly between adjacent spool insulators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transformer mounting base which is capable of serving selectively as a support bracket for supporting an assembly of a plurality of such bases or to serve as a support or base for the transformer itself.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transformer mounting base which is adapted to receive any of a plurality of transformers.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following de- United States Patent 0 ice scription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of the transformer mounting base constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the transformer mounting base disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of one end of the transformer mounting base disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line'4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another or second embodiment of the transformer mounting base of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6 --6 in FIG. 5. p

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view showing one end of the base illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational View showing the other end of the base illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a utility pole having a clevis insulator with the modified transformer mounting base disclosed in FIGS. 5 through 8, supporting a transformer and secured thereto, according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a clevis insulator supporting the preferred mounting base and a transformer.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 10 and showing the modified embodiment base mounted on a rack assem ly secured to a utility pole.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 10 and showing the preferred mounting base carried by a rack assembly. I

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIGS. 9 and 11 and showing a plurality of spaced clevis insulators on a utility pole and supporting a plurality of transformers carried by the modified embodiment bases of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 13 and showing the preferred mounting base arranged as the modified base in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational View of a utility bolt carrying a plurality of the modified mounting bases of the present invention, the bases supporting the transformers in spaced parallel relationship.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 and showing the preferred mounting base.

PIG. 1'7 is a side elevational view of a utility pole with clevis type insulators and cables, the transformer mounting base assembly of the present invention being in a cluster connected to these cables.

FIG. 18 is a schematic wiring diagram of the Wiring illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the base secured in a vertical position against a supporting structure.

FIG. 19A is a side elevational view of a base secured flat against a supporting structure.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment chosen for purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, numeral 26 denotes gen erally the preferred base illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. Base 2d is formed from a flat sheet of metal, stamped to form a central platform 21 which is preferably square or rectangular in shape, the platform 21 being provided with a plurality of holes such as holes 22, 22, 23, 23'. The holes 22 are relatively large holes and are arranged at a given radius, symmetrically each around the center hole 22'. The holes 23, on the other hand, are arranged V O 8,180/la4 at a greater radius around hole 22', along the diagonals of the base 21 with holes 233.

Along opposite edges of platform 21 there are provided diverging flanges 24 and 25 which project outwardly and downwardly, the outer ends of the flanges 2,4 and 25 being respectively provided with the outwardly extending mounting plates 26 and 27 along a plane parallel to the plane of platform 21. It is therefore seen that I have provided a base 2'1 with an inwardly struck central portion or platform 21.

It will be observed that the mounting plate 7.7 is substantially longer than the plate 26 so as to provide an extension of this plate which terminates in a downwardly extending right angularly bent flange 28, projecting in an opposite direction from platform 21. Along the longitudinal center line L of the base 253 there are provided in the mounting plates 26 and 27 a pair of opposed central openings 29 and 31 Usually spaced from the longitudinal center line L are the outer openings 31, "1 and 32, 32 of plates 26 and 27 respectively. Therefore, with the exception of the extension of plate 27, the base 2% thus far described is symmetrical.

According to the present invention, a central opening 33 is provided in the extension of plate 27 adjacent the flange 28. This central opening 33 is non-circular, preferably square or rectangular in shape. Projecting up through the central opening 33 is a bolt receiving member denoted generally by numeral 34. In the present embodiment, the bolt receiving member 34 is a U-shaped bracket having a central web or body 35 and a pair of spaced end walls or arms as and 37 which project down, parallel to each other, from the edges of the web 35 to terminate below the surface of plate 27 in outwardly turned flanges 38 and 3 9 respectively. The outwardly turned flanges 38 and 3 are in a single plane parallel to and below plate 27, the flanges 3S and 3? engaging the lower surface of the plate 27 adjacent the outer edges of the opening 33. If desired, the flanges 38 and 39 may be spot welded, as at numeral 40, or otherwise permanently secured to the lower surface of plate 27. In other instances, it may be found desirable not to join or permanently secure the flanges 33 and 39 to plate 27. In these latter instances, of course, the member 34 may be removed through the opening 33, if desired. It is recommended, however, that the flanges 33 and 39 be secured in place against plate 27 since, in some uses of the base 28 as hereinafter pointed out, downward pressure on the member 34 may be involved.

The arms or end walls 36 and 37 are disposed longitudinally on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line L of base 20 and are provided with aligned circular openings 41 and 42 respectively so as to provide a transverse channel for such bolts (not shown) as are desired to pass therethrough. The web 35 is provided with a circular opening 43 so that a bolt (not shown) may be passed vertically downwardly therethrough. It will also be understood that a bolt (not shown) with an appropriate washer (not shown) may be passed between the arms $6 and 37 so as to extend longitudinally outwardly from the base 20.

In FIGS. 5 through 8, the second embodiment of the present invention includes a base Sti with a central platform 51 having diverging flanges 54 and extending from opposite edges of the platform 51 and openings 52, 52' and 53, 53 arranged essentially as the openings 22, 22' and 23, 23 of platform 21.

Extending in a plane parallel to the plane of platform 51 and outwardly from the flanges 54- and 55 are the base plates 56 and 57 respectively. In the present embodiment, the base plates Sr: and 57 are respectively provided The plates as and 57 are also provided with the openings 31, 31 and 32, 32', respectively, which are spaced from the longitudinal center line of the base 50.

According to the present invention, outwardly of the plate 57, along its outer edge is a hollow tubular member which forms a bolt receiving member 64. In the present embodiment, the bolt receiving member 64 is arranged transversely or perpendicularly to the center line L of the base St) and is secured tangentially to the outer edge of plate 57, as best seen in FIG. 6. The ends of the bolt receiving member 64 terminate in the plane of the sides of base 50, the bolt receiving member 64 having a central opening 71 which is perpendicular to the center line L of the base 5%.

Along the bottom outer portion of the bolt receiving member 64 is a cylindrical rod or flange 58 which is welded thereto, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The flange 53 is parallel to and essentially the same length as member 64 and projects below the surface of plates 56 and 57, outwardly of a central hole 72 which passes vertically through the lower central surface of the bolt receiving member 64. It will be observed that the holes 72 and 73 are on the longitudinal center line L of the base 50. Also on the longitudinal center line L are holes 63 and 69 which are about normal to the holes 72, 73, the holes 68, 69 being aligned with each other and projecting along the line which converges outwardly toward the plane of the plates 56 and 57.

It is, therefore, seen that in each of the present embodiments the receiving members 34 and 64 are provided with a pair of openings therethrough which are essentially perpendicular to the center lines L and L of the platforms 2.1 and 51 respectively. These openings are the openings 4-1, a2 and '71 which lie parallel to the plane of the platforms 21 and 53, while the second openings are the openings 43, 72 and 733 which are perpendicular to the openings 4-1, 42 and '71, respectively. The openings passing between the walls 37 and 3t; and the openings 68 and 69 are essentially perpendicular to both of the aforesaid openings and intersect the same.

When the device of FIGS. 5-8 is used for holding a transformer in a predetermined position, a suitable bolt, stud, screw or the like (not shown) may be passed through openings s9, 68 and into an appropriate supporting structure (not shown) so that the tightening of the bolt tends to lock the platform 58 firmly by rotating it slightly in a counterclockwise direction as soon as the flange 58 has engaged the surface. Hence, the bolt will assure that both a portion of the bolt receiving member 64 and the flange member 58 bind against the supporting surface on opposite sides of the bolt passing through the openings 69, Likewise, when a bolt, screw, stud or the like (not shown) is passed through the openings 73, 72, the base 5% is locked in position, being rotated in a clockwise direction about the flange 58 after the flange 58 has engaged the supporting surface. Thus it is seen that a single bolt may be employed to mount the base 50 essentially flat against a surface or essentially perpendicular thereto, as desired.

Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawing, it will be seen that a utility pole 7G is provided with a bolt 71 secured in place by a nut 72, the bolt 71 carrying a clevis 73 which, in turn, carries a spool insulator 74 with a bolt 75 securing the spool insulator 74 in place. According to the present invention, the bolt 75 is longer than the usual bolt for carrying the spool insulator 74 and projects a substantial distance below the clevis 73 and through bolt receiving member Thus, the bolt 75 carries the base 5% which, in turn, carries a transformer 84} bolted in place on the platform 51. As seen in FIG. 9, a nut 76 with a washer 77 on shaft 75 retains the base 50 in place. Thus, an incoming cable 81 which wraps around the spool insulator 74 and then around itself may pass through the transformer 80 and through the weather head 82.

In FIG. 10, the transformer 80 is supported by the platform of base 20 and the bolt 75' passes through the openings 41 and 42 of base 20. In this embodiment, the nut 76 urges a relatively large washer 77' against the lower side of the plate 27 so as to clamp the base 20 in place between the lower arm of clevis 73 which carries the spool insulator 74'.

' In FIG. 11, the utility pole 90 carries arack 91 secured thereto by spaced bolts 92. The rack 91 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced U-shaped clevises 93 which respectively carry the spool insulators 94. A single bolt 95 passing downwardly through all spool insulators 94 and through aligned openings in the clevises 93 is secured in place by a cotter key 96. Between each pair of clevises 93 is a base 50 which supports a transformer. Thus, three transformers 97 are provided. Each of the bases 50 is carried between its clevises 93 by the bolt 95 which passes through the opening 71 of the bolt receiving member 64.

In FIG. 12, it is seen that between two clevises 193 a bolt 195 may carry a base 20 with a transformer 197 thereon. In this instance, the bolt 195 passes through the upper clevis 193 andthen through the openings 41 and 42 of the bolt receiving member 34 of base 20 and next through the lower clevis 193' and thereafter through the insulator spool 194.

If it is desired to carry the transformers in spaced relationship to the insulator spools, the arrangement such as illustrated in FIGS. 13 or 14 is employed. In FIG. 13, the utility pole 100 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced clevises 103 which carry the spool insulators 104 in spaced vertical relationship. Suitable bolts (not shown) may be employed for securing the clevises 103 to the utility pole 100. Between the bottom two clevises 103 and the utility pole 100 are a pair of the bases 50, the bolts (not shown) securing the clevises 103 to pole 100, passing through the openings 59 of these clevises. The bases 50 extend parallel to each other outwardly of the utility pole 100 so as to provide aligned openings 71 which receive therethrough a utility bolt 105. Between the bases 50 which extend from the pole 100 area pair of additional bases 50, and an upper base 50, all being mounted by their bolt receiving members 64 on bolt 105. The lower additional base 50 and the lowermost base 50 are locked together by nuts 106 and 107 on bolt 105, and the three upper bases 50 are urged together by nuts 108, 109. If desired, spacers or nuts 110 may be provided between the adjacent bases 50 which are urged together.

The uppermost and the two additional bases 50 carry transformers 111 through which project the incoming service cables 112, respectively. Cables 112,lead from the main cables 113 which are connected to the spool insulators 104, through transformers 112 to the weather cap 114 which leads to, say a house.

Similarly, in FIG. 14, three bases 20 carrying transformers 111' are carried by a common utility bolt 105 which, in turn, is carried by a pair of spaced bases 20, secured to a utility pole (not shown) similar to pole 160. The three bases 20 project from the common utility bolt 105, and are secured in place thereon by nuts 106', 107', 108, 109', spacers 110' being provided between each base 20. In this instance, member 34 need not be welded to plate 27 since bolt 105 passes through openings 41, 42 of the bolt receiving members 34 of each base 20; however, holes 41, 42 should be as close to plate 27 as possible and in no case should the distance from the edge of holes 41, 42 be greater than the distance from the edge of the holes in nuts 106', 107, 108, 109 since these nuts should clamp the sides of base 20.

Referring now to FIGS. and 16, it will be seen that a plurality of transformers 200 or 201 may be aligned in any spaced parallel relationship along a bolt 202 or 203, the bolt passing through the bolt securing members 64 or 34 'of the bases 50 or to which the trans- 6 formers 200 or 201 are secured. For positioning a par ticular base 59 or 20 in place, nuts 204, 205 or 206, 207 at opposite ends of each bolt receiving member 64 or 34 are threadedly carried by the bolt 202 or 203 as seen in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The transformers 300 may be arranged in clusters for three phase work, the phase transformers 300 being hung from cables 301 which pass through the windows thereof. As seen in FIG. 17, each transformer 300 is provided with a base having a bolt receiving member 64. For retaining the bases 50 together, a small wire 302, the ends of which are joined, passes through all bolt receiving members 64 of the bases 50. If desired, the ends of cables 301 and a ground cable 299 are carried by main cables 311 and 312 connected to clevis insulators 304 mounted on pole 305, the other ends projecting through a weather cap 306. As seen in FIG. 18, the wires 310 lead from respective ends of all transformers 300 to a seven hole meter box (not shown) and a common wire 320 leads from the other ends of all transformers 300 to this meter box. Likewise, tap wires 319 and 321 lead from wires 299 and 301 to thismeter box. I

In FIG. 19 it is seen that a single bolt 400 passing through openings 69, 68 will secure the base 50 in a vertical position against a supporting structure 401, and, in FIG. 19A that a bolt 400 passing through openings 73, 72 will secure the base 50 in a flat condition against asupporting structure 401. p

In summation, the bolt receiving members 34 and 64 of each embodiment are above the lower plane of the remaining portion of the bases 20 and 50, each member 34 and 64 having appropriate openings for receiving bolts to mount the bases 20 and 50 in various positions with respect to each other, aligned, clustered, parallel and in other relationships; and with respect to a supporting surface, flat or about perpendicular thereto.

Each of transformers 80, 80', 97, 111, 111, 197, 200, 291, and 300 is a window type transformer having a window therein, such as window 400 seen in FIG. 15. 'When used, each transformer receives through its window,

, such as window 400, a cable, such as cable 301, whereby the current flowing in the cable will induce a fiow of current in its associated transformer.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a transformer mounting base of the type having an elongated element with a longitudinal center line and defining a fiat central platform, a pair of diverging flanges extending from said central platform, and a pair of plates extending from said flanges in opposite directions in a plane parallel to the plane of said platform, the combination therewith of a bolt receiving member at the outer edge portion of one of said plates, said bolt receiving member having an opening therethrough having an axis essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of said platform and parallel to the aforesaid planes.

2. In a transformer mounting base of the type having an elongated element with a longitudinal center line and defining a flat central platform, a pair of diverging flanges extending from said central platform, and a pair of plates extending from said flanges in opposite directions I in a plane parallel to the plane of said platform, the

combination therewith of a bolt receiving member at the outer edge portion of one of said plates, said bolt receiving member having an opening therethrough having an axis essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of said platform and parallel to the aforesaid planes, and .a clamping flange projecting downwardly from said base outwardly adjacent said bolt receiving member, said 7 clamping flange projecting below the lower surface of said plane of said plates.

3. A transformer mounting base of the type having an essentially rectangular element having a longitudinal center line and defining a flat central platform, a pair of diverging flanges extending from said central platform, and a pair of plates extending from said flanges in opposite directions in a plane parallel to the plane of said platform, the combination therewith of a bolt receiving member at the outer edge portion of one of said plates, said bolt receiving member having a pair of openings therethrough having axes essentially perpendicular to the center line of said platform, the axis of one of said openings being parallel to the aforesaid planes and the axis of the other opening being about perpendicular thereto, there being provided a third opening through said bolt receiving member having an axis about perpendicular to each of the axes of the aforesaid pair of openings and intersecting the same, and a clamping flange projecting downwardly from said base outwardly adjacent said bolt receiving member, said clamping flange projecting below the lower surface of said plane of said plates.

4. A transformer mounting base of the type having a rectangular base with a longitudinal center line and a flat central platform for carrying a window type transformer, a pair of diverging flanges extending from said central platform, and a pair of plates extending from said flanges in opposite directions in a plane parallel to the plane of said platform, the combination therewith of a bolt receiving member connected to one of said plates, said bolt receiving member having an opening therethrough essentially perpendicular to the center line of said base and parallel to the aforesaid planes, and a clamping flange projecting downwardly from said base outwardly adjacent said bolt receiving member, said clamping flange projecting below the lower surface of said plane of said plates, said bolt receiving member being a hollow cylindrical member, the ends of which terminate at the sides of said one of said plates.

5. A transformer mounting base comprising a flat platform for receiving a window type transformer and a bolt receiving member connected to said platform, said bolt receiving member including a pair of spaced walls about perpendicular to said platform, a web joining said walls, and a pair of diverging flanges extending from the ends of said walls, said walls projecting through an opening in said platform, said flanges engaging said platform, said web being disposed about parallel to said platform, there being provided an opening in said web and a pair of aligned openings in said walls.

6. A transformer mounting base comprising a flat platform for receiving a window type transformer and a bolt receiving member connected to said platform, said bolt receiving member including a pair of spaced walls about perpendicular to said platform, a web joining said walls,

a pair of diverging flanges extending from the ends of said walls, said walls projecting through an opening in said platform, said flanges engaging said platform, said web being disposed about parallel to said platform, there being provided an opening in said web and a pair of aligned openings in said wall, and means joining said flanges to said platform.

7. A transformer base assembly comprising a plurality of transformer bases and means joining each of said bases, each base including a platform for carrying a transformer, said platform having a longitudinal center line, a bolt receiving member connected to said platform, said bolt receiving member being provided with an opening about perpendicular to the center line of said platform, said means joining said bases including a member passing through the openings of all said bolt receiving members.

8. A transformer base assembly comprising a plurality of transformer bases and means joining each of said bases, each base including a platform for carrying a transformer, said platform having a longitudinal center line, a bolt receiving member connected to said platform, said bolt receiving member being provided with an opening about perpendicular to the center line of said platform, said means joining said bases including a member passing through the openings of all said bolt receiving members, and means for spacing each of said bases apart.

9. A transformer base assembly comprising a plurality of transformer bases and means joining each of said bases, each base including a platform for carrying a transformer, said platform having a longitudinal center line, a bolt receiving member connected to said platform, said bolt receiving member being provided with an opening about perpendicular to the center line of said platform, said means joining said bases including an externally threaded bolt and a plurality of nuts on said boits, said nuts engaging the edges of said bases for positioning said bases both axially and radially with respect to said bolt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 640,314 1/00 Packard 336-68 X 1,463,962 8/23 McClintock 2482l4 2,721,961 10/55 Votaw 33668 X 2,841,772 7/58 Sloop 336-67 X 2,888,971 6/59 Wootton 248-214 2,985,417 5/61 Thompson 248-214 3,062,495 11/62 Sloop 336-l74 X FOREIGN PATENTS 7,615 3/98 Great Britain. 328,772 5/30 Great Britain.

JOHN F. BURNS, Primary Examiner.

MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, LARAMIE E. ASKIN,

Examiners. 

1. IN A TRANSFORMER MOUNTING BASE OF THE TYPE HAVING AN ELONGATED ELEMENT WITH A LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE AND DEFINING A FLAT CENTRAL PLATFORM, A PAIR OF DIVERGING FLANGES EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL PLATFORM, AND A PAIR OF PLATES EXTENDING FROM SAID FLANGES IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OF SAID PLATFORM, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF A BOLT RECEIVING MEMBER AT THE OUTER EDGE PORTION OF ONE OF SAID PLATES, SAID BOLT RECEIVING MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH HAVING AN AXIS ESSENTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER LINE OF SAID PLATFORM AND PARALLEL TO THE AFORESAID PLANES. 